Category Archives:Aiki-Conversations

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Aikido & Teaching Series

In one way or another, we are all teachers, and we are all students. Surely from time to time, you find yourself helping another, or getting another’s help in understanding something new. At the very least it is safe to say that we are all learners. It is in this spirit that I’m sharing my latest post on 3 Ways To Be A Better Aikido Teacher (And Student!).

Community Call w/ Dan Messisco & Miles Kessler

What is the difference between the “relative” and the “absolute”? And how do these 2 perspectives relate to Aikido? Recently I held another “Aiki-Discussion” in the Integral Dojo Community Call series on this very topic. In this call, I was joined by Dan Messisco Sensei and members from our global sangha, as we explored “Aikido & The Absolute Perspective.”

Teja "Fudo Myo" Bell & Miles Kessler

The below “Dharma Bite” is an excerpt from a longer dialogue I did with Teja “Fudo Myoo” Bell Roshi for our “Meditation For Aikidoka” online course members. We had such a wonderful dialogue that I decided to share this excerpt here with my blog readers on “From Emptiness To Spontaneity”.

"Aiki-Discussion" w/ Eran "Junryu" Vardi & Miles Kessler

I recently had an “Aiki-Discussion” with Aikido Sensei and Zen Roshi Eran “Junryu” Vardi for my “Meditation For Aikidoka” online course. We had a wide-ranging conversation on Aikido, Meditation, and enlightenment and I was left with the feeling that we had only scratched the surface. I have taken an excerpt from our discussion to share with you here called “Self, Identity, & Flow”.

Diane Musho Hamilton & Miles Kessler

How aware are you of fear? How does fear feel in your body? How about your mind? Is your experience of fear that fear is in you, or that you are in fear? In the below “Dharma Bite” I continue in my series of Dharma Discussions with Integral Facilitator & Zen Sensei Diane Musho Hamilton on this very topic. In this excerpt, we talk about the competency of containing fear with awareness.

Finding Balance In Times Of Crisis

Confession time: my wife Maya and I are fans of “The Good Fight”, a drama series on the life and times of Chicago lawyers, now in its second season on CBS All Access. This series is a spin-off of the popular series “The Good Wife” that ran for 7 seasons (we were also fans). As an Aikido practitioner and teacher for close to 35 years, you can imagine what a wonderful surprise I had a few weeks ago to find Aikido on The Good Fight.

Community Call w/ Patrick Cassidy & Miles Kessler

Aikido is unique among martial arts as it is simultaneously “martial” & “spiritual”. This means that even though Aikido engages conflict (as all martial arts do) the intention for doing so is the resolution of conflict and restoration of harmony. How can this be? Engaging conflict (in other words, fighting) is zero-sum, with one winner and one loser. From beginning to end, it perpetuates separation. But “the way of harmony” is none other then a unifying practice. In order to understand this apparent contradiction you need to look at the art from the perspective of “Aikido & Non-Duality.”

Facebook Live Replay w/ Miles Kessler

How good are you at taking the perspective of others in the middle of a conflict? Is it even something you consider important? After all, isn’t it basic human nature to protect your own point of view (not to mention your own body)? How does your basic survival instinct stack up with the higher intention of Aikido? Is Aikido’s central principle of “awase” (blending with another) still important to you when the chips are down and the conflict is on? What does “Getting The Other’s World Through Aikido” actually mean? Do you even care?

Dharma Bite w/ Diane Musho Hamilton & Miles Kessler

What is the most fundamental practice for you? What single practice informs all other practices that you do? In the below “Darma Bite” I continue in my series of Dharma Discussions with Integral Facilitator & Zen Sensei Diane Musho Hamilton on this very topic. In this excerpt from one of our longer discussions, we explore how we see “Meditation As The Fundamental Practice.”

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About Me

I am an American teacher of Aikido (6th Dan, Aikikai), meditation, and Integral Practice. I am the founder and director of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, as well as the non-profit organization Aikido Without Borders in Israel/ Palestine.

For close to 20 years I have been producing innovative Aikido events such as "Aikido Practice & Inquiry", "Integral Aikido Intensives", “The Dead Sea Seminar”, "Meditation For Aikidoka", and the "Aikido At The Leading Edge" tele-summit. These paradigm-shifting events were attended by thousands of people.

My mission is to support people who are committed to a higher Path of practice in the areas of Aikido, meditation, mindfulness, personal development, embodiment and Integral Practice.

If you are passionate about developing your potential by walking a higher path of practice, you are in the right place. Welcome!

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What Teachers Are Saying…

“Miles Kessler is a rare kind of teacher. He has cultivated deep meditative discipline, he is a fully embodied Aikido master, and most importantly, his heart is wide open. You can't help but grow in his company.”
–Diane Musho Hamilton Roshi
Author of "Everything Is Workable - A Zen Guide To Conflict Resolution"

“A bow of acknowledgement to Miles for creating The Integral Dojo online. If Aikido is going to have a part to play in this rapidly changing world, then we need such "virtual dojos" to bring us together to share, collaborate and practice musubi. With this work Miles is helping us move towards leaving the world a better place.”
–Richard Strozzi-Heckler, 7th DanAuthor of "The Leadership Dojo"

“O Sensei said 'Yesterday’s technique won’t be good enough today; and today’s technique won’t be good enough tomorrow.' Miles exemplifies the spirit of exploration, continually challenging the knowledge he has acquired.”
–Richard Moon Sensei, 6th Dan
Founder of “The Art Of Extraordinary Listening”

“It is said that a teacher is like a bell. The sound you get depends on how you ring the bell. Miles Kessler has the subtle skill of asking the questions which get at the essence of things.”
–
Paul Linden Sensei, 6th Dan
Ph.D, Founder of “Being In Movement”

“Miles is one of the wisest and most human facilitators I know. I love him dearly and respect his work."–Mark WalshFounder and Director of "Integration Training".

“Miles’ teaching resonates with clarity and truth. You get a sense that his mind, heart and body are all in alignment as he speaks. His sincerity and humility makes what he offers even more accessible and valuable.”–Linda Holiday Sensei, 6th Dan
Author of "Journey to the Heart of Aikido: The Teachings of Motomichi Anno Sensei "

"Miles' spiritual insight, understanding of the Integral perspective, and embodiment of the principles of Aikido make him an incredible facilitator and teacher. His unique capacity to share directly with others is an inspiring vision of human transformation.”–Patrick Cassidy Sensei, 6th DanMeditation Teacher, Conscious Conflict Resolution Facilitator

"I share a background with Miles of long-term mindfulness and aikido practice. I feel great appreciation for the energy and effort he generates to create opportunities for practitioners of aikido and mindfulness to share how they bring their practice to the world. It is such a gift!”–Wendy Palmer Sensei, 6th DanAikido Sensei, Author of "The Practice Of Freedom: Aikido Principles As A Spiritual Guide"

"Kessler Sensei embodies an abundant passion, penetrating understanding, and unusual depth of ability. Koichi Tohei Sensei once remarked that we human beings are like “people who have been bequeathed golden treasure by our parents, yet leave that treasure locked away, and instead beg for pennies”. It is my opinion that this describes much of what we see under the umbrella term “Aikido”. A welcome and bright exception would be the clarity and vision so elegantly expressed through the work of Miles Kessler Sensei.”–Lawrence Koichi Barrish, Aikido SenseiSenior Shinto Priest of Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America, Dojo-Cho Kannagara Aikido

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ABOUT ME

I am the guiding teacher of the Integral Dojo in Tel Aviv, and also the producer of the renowned international Aikido events “The Dead Sea Seminar” and the "Aikido At The Leading Edge" tele-summit. I teach, coach, and write in the fields of Aikido and Meditation full-time. I live with my wife and 2 daughters in Tel-Aviv, Israel, where I run my full-time school and continue to develop the online training community of the Integral Dojo.